Opportunities.

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Pen to Print is Barking & Dagenham’s Arts Council England (ACE), Library National Portfolio Organisation (NPO).

Established by the library service the Pen to Print programme has been working in Barking & Dagenham since 2014 funded by Barking & Dagenham and Arts Council England. Becoming an ACE National Portfolio Organisation in 2018, we have just commenced our second period of NPO funding 2023 to 2026. As part of the library offer in our Community Hubs, Pen to Print is an established network of free writer support.

Offering advice guidance and collaboration with authors of all backgrounds and experience our priorities are writers from communities currently underrepresented in the wider publishing industry. Having established a regional network of writers we now reach audiences both nationally and internationally. To support this ambition we offer a multi-faceted free programme of activities, events, classes and workshops.
We welcome everyone to connect and collaborate with Pen to Print, Barking & Dagenham and our partners.
Here are some opportunities to do so:

Opportunities with Pen to Print

Poetry Class Lead

Fee £3,300.
Applications should be received by Midday on Thursday 31 July 2025

Applications are sought to quote for the delivery of the Pen to Print Regular Poetry Class programme running from September 2025 to July 2026.

We are seeking applications for delivery of these classes that should outline a programme of content, focusing on the basics of different forms of poetry, this should also include the learning outcomes for each session.

Each session should be 90 minutes long, with one session held each month on a Saturday between September and July, 11 in total.

Interviews will be held w/c 11 August 2025

Any enquires should be directed to:
Lena Smith, FRSA. Library Programme Manager
Email: lena.smith@lbbd.gov.uk Phone: 020 8227 5063.

Further Details & How to Apply for Poetry Class Lead

Creative Writing Class Lead

Fee: £3,300
Applications should be received by Midday on Thursday 31 July 2025

Applications are sought to quote for the delivery of the Pen to Print Regular Creative Writing Class programme running from September 2025 to July 2026.

We are seeking applications for delivery of these classes that should include a programme of content, focusing on the fundamentals of prose fiction, novel and short story writing, this should also include the learning outcomes for each session.

Each session should be 90 minutes long, with one session held each month on a Saturday between September and July, 11 in total.

Interviews will be held w/c 11 August 2025

Any enquires should be directed to:
Lena Smith, FRSA. Library Programme Manager
Email: lena.smith@lbbd.gov.uk Phone: 020 8227 5063.

Further Details & How to Apply for Creative Writing Class Lead

Writing for Performance Class Lead

Fee: £3,300
Applications should be received by Midday on Thursday 31 July 2025

Applications are sought to quote for the delivery of the Pen to Print Regular Writing for Performance Class programme running from September 2025 to July 2026.

We are seeking applications for delivery of these classes along with a proposed programme of content to be delivered. Content should feature the fundamentals of writing scripts for TV, Film and Theatre, and should include the learning outcomes for each session.

Each session should be 90 minutes long, with one session held each month on a Saturday between September and July, 11 in total.

Interviews will be held w/c 11 August 2025

Any enquires should be directed to:
Lena Smith, FRSA. Library Programme Manager
Email: lena.smith@lbbd.gov.uk Phone: 020 8227 5063.

Further Details & How to Apply for Writing for Performance Class Lead

Activity/ Event/ Workshop Proposals

Pen to Print encourages everyone in developing a career in the publishing industry and offers you the chance to learn how with us. As part of that we often give you the opportunity to develop your creative practice and work with Pen to Print by delivering sessions, whether you are an expert and worked in the industry for years, or just starting out on your career and looking for a chance to hone your skills. We welcome any UK based creatives to work with us but particularly encourage those who are Black, Asian or from other ethnic backgrounds and / or lower socio-economic backgrounds, LGBTQ+, disabled or neurodivergent.

If you have an idea for an event, class or workshop we would love to hear from you please download a Proposal Form and email it to us at pentoprint@lbbd.gov.uk If you have any questions please contact us.

Download a Pen to Print Proposal Form

Community Commissions

Do you live or work in Barking & Dagenham? We would love to hear your ideas for celebrating notable dates in our corporate calendar.
The next themed month we are looking at programming is LGBTQ+ Month – February 2026. Following that will be Women’s Empowerment Month – March 2026, South Asian Heritage Month – July/August 2026, and Black History Month – October 2026 or indeed suggest an event for any other notable date you feel needs marking.

You can bid for activities that cost no more than £500. If you think you may need more funding please contact us to discuss your idea.

Whatever your experience, we would love to collaborate with you to support your idea for celebrating the stories tied to theses themed dates.

We particularly encourage applications from those who are Black, Asian or from other ethnic backgrounds and / or lower socio-economic backgrounds, LGBTQ+, disabled or neurodivergent.

Please complete the form in the link below and email any additional documents and images to pentoprint@lbbd.gov.uk with the Event Title in the subject line.

If you have any questions please contact us at pentoprint@lbbd.gov.uk

Complete a Community Commission Form

Opportunities with Our Partners

Discover opportunities to work and volunteer with our valued Pen to Print partners.